RUGBY St Andrews started life in Midlands Two West (South) with a 32-14 defeat to Evesham – but there were positives to come out of their first match at a higher level.
Had it not been for indiscipline, which resulted in two yellow cards, and several unforced errors which handed back possession to Evesham at critical times, the outcome may have been different.
The opening exchanges were fairly even, with Saints smaller pack more than holding their own against bigger opposition and backs closing down their opposite numbers well.
The breakthrough came after 16 minutes as the pack drove through several phases of play to take the game into the Evesham 22 before moving the ball to the backs where winger Jordan Loydall appeared in midfield to cut a great line through the defence for the first try of the season, converted by Ryan Taylor.
Evesham came into the game more as they tried to move the ball quickly but were restricted to a single penalty on 22 minutes.
Excellent line speed from the backs forced Evesham into a handling mistake and Ryan Taylor put boot to ball but was narrowly beaten to it by the visiting winger who was then caught in possession on his own line with Saints quickest to respond, turning over possession to allow debutant Will Morgan to snipe over for a try which he also converted after 33 minutes.
It looked as though Saints would take this lead into half-time but after repeated warnings from the referee a yellow card was brandished.
Evesham took full advantage, kicking the resulting penalty to the corner before eventually forcing their way over for a unconverted try on the stroke of half-time.
With Saints still down to 14 men, Evesham kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a converted try within two minutes of the restart to take the lead for the first time in the game.
After Saints returned to full strength, the teams cancelled each other out until Saints were again penalised on the hour mark and Evesham extended their lead with a well struck long range penalty.
Evesham were looking to use their quick backs more as the game progressed, but the Saints defence was holding firm, despite at times being stretched.
The defence was finally breached after 67 minutes when Evesham added another converted try.
Saints pushed forward looking for another score to bring them back into contention but again indiscipline cost them as a second yellow was issued.
Evesham again took advantage of their numerical superiority.
They kicked the penalty to the corner and a series of short range drives were initially thwarted by the tiring Saints defence but Evesham patiently keep plugging away and eventually drove over for their fourth try which was converted to bring up a bonus point.
Saints travel to Kenilworth on Saturday.
